On players showing up in shape, “if they didn’t then they are now. Torts hasn’t overloaded us with anything. It’s a good thing that we have a majority of the core back so everyone is on the same page.”

On being one of the hottest guys in hockey, “Henke pretended that he didn’t even see it.”

On starting with Chris Kreider, “we have been working together. Chris, myself and Taylor Pyatt. I am pretty excited about it.”

On the 48 game schedule, “It’s gonna be a sprint. I think the way we play, we tend to play playoff hockey from the outset. It takes a toll on us, but we can’t let it bother us mentally. I have never experience anything like this. I think it’s gonna be good for us to get a good start. Everyone has to play the 48 so teams are going to be desperate.”

On Rick Nash, “He is as good as advertised. He is a great guy around the locker room, humble, and he is a pleasure to watch. The way he can protect the puck, he is smooth. He is really an elite player.”

On Halpern and Asham fitting in, “Ash knows what we are about. Halpy, we played him a lot in MTL in Washington. He is great on faceoffs and I think he will be huge for us. He will kill penalties.